Excellent bridge camera
I'd had a Fuji HS10 for many years, and taken some really good photos of wildlife in the game parks when on holiday, amongst the more usual holiday and family photos. Then, on holiday in New Zealand, the viewfinder image went blurred and the lens rattled - an inner lens had detached itself and that was that. New camera needed. It was like a bereavement of an old friend or faithful dog.
Scanning eBay for a 2nd hand replacement there were very few bridge Fujis of the current or recent model coming up for sale so read a number of reviews and the Canon SX50 seemed to be a close equivalent - and there were lots available. Lurked for a while to get an idea of the price and eventually went for one that was in excellent condition, but at the top of the price range. Delivery was prompt, and the camera exactly as described - in fact it looked almost brand new.
I don't normally post reviews, but choosing a camera is a major decision and one I didn't take lightly - so maybe my review will help others in the same position. We often take a picture which can never be repeated - so choosing the right camera can contribute to recording significant and unrepeatable events in our lives.
This is one powerful camera. More spec than the old Fuji, of course, and the development in technology over the past 10 years shows. I'd used the Fuji's 720 zoom fairly regularly but didn't think I'd need the 1200 zoom of the Canon very much. But, once you have that facility you use it.
Image quality is better than my old Fuji and the stabilisation seems to work well. I use a monopod for long range shots anyway.
So far I've not found anything I don't like but am still getting used to the functionality and the menu structure - which naturally differs from the Fuji. The Canon has all the functions you'd expect from a modern digital bridge camera - and I can't think of any other functions that I'd need as a keen amateur. There cannot be many situations where the Canon won't help you manage the lighting or shutter speed conditions to the very best of your ability.
Not sure yet about the motorised zoom - I liked the Fujis manual zoom - it was easier to get the framing just right - but that's a minor consideration. I also liked the Fujis automatic switching between the EVF and the screen - the Canon has to be manually switched. The Canon's EVF is 200k pixels, less than later models, but it's still fine, and the rear screen is very good anyway. So, there are differences - I liked my old Fuji, maybe I'd just got comfortable with it, and I'm still getting used to the Canon - like a new pair of shoes. But the updated Fuji was effectively unavailable, so it had to be an alternative.
Still getting to grips with Canon's bundled RAW image processing DPP software as I'd previously used Google's Picasa - which is no longer available. I can't think of any image processing facility I'd need that isn't in DPP.
So, nothing bad to say, the Canon SX50 is a very, very good camera for the enthusiastic amateur who does not want to carry a full spec DSLR and a range of lenses and the weight and bulk penalty when on holiday. If you are unused to a Canon, as I am, there's a learning curve, but one that seems to be easy to move along if you spend time with the manual and the camera.
The goldfinch is a processed image, the broken fence (with difficult back lighting) and the bikes are both unprocessed.
Not long before the Fuji died, so did my old faithful dog. I now have a new best friend camera, all I now need is a new dog. Hopefully he'll be just as good a friend as my new Canon SX50 HS.
Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned